Cottage food in Colorado: the checklist

Not legal advice. This is a starting checklist, checked 2026-09-25. Rules change and differ by county and city. Talk to a lawyer and confirm with CDPHE before you sell a ticket or open your space.

At a glance

• Covers: non-perishable foods like baked goods, candy, jams, honey, spices, tortillas, acidic pickles and eggs. CDPHE
• Sales cap: $10,000 net per product until 2026-12-31. Each flavor counts on its own. C.R.S. Title 25 CDPHE
• Registration and fee: none today, $0. You do need a food safety course. CDPHE CSU
• Doesn't cover: ticketed or plated dinners. Your jam, yes. Your braised short rib, no. Sales go direct to consumers, and catered events are out. C.R.S. Title 25 CDPHE
• Home-kitchen meal law: none. The Tamale Act adds packaged hot food, not guests eating at your table. HB26-1033

Quick answers

What does cottage food cover in Colorado? Non-perishable foods like baked goods, candy, jams, honey, spices, tortillas, acidic pickles and eggs. There's no registration or fee today, but you need a food safety course. CDPHE CSU

What is the cottage food sales cap in Colorado? $10,000 net per product until 2026-12-31, and each flavor counts on its own. C.R.S. Title 25 CDPHE From 2027-01-01, the Tamale Act raises it to $150,000 gross per producer per year. HB26-1033

Does Colorado cottage food cover a ticketed dinner? No. Cottage food doesn't cover ticketed or plated dinners, and catered events are out. C.R.S. Title 25 CDPHE In Denver, book a licensed venue, often the simplest route, or get a caterer licence (unverified): $150 plus $25 per activity. Denver

From 2027-01-01: the Tamale Act

• You can add one packaged hot or cold food type, like tamales, in up to 5 variations. HB26-1033
• The cap jumps to $150,000 gross per producer per year, inflation-adjusted. HB26-1033
• You'll need annual CDPHE registration and a temperature-control course. Fee not yet set (unverified). HB26-1033

What this means for a dinner

• Start with a free micro hospitality night for friends at home. The licence question starts when money changes hands, or when it's advertised to the public, charge or not. Denver food rules C.R.S. Title 25
• In Denver, book a licensed venue, often the simplest route, or get a caterer licence (unverified): $150 plus $25 per activity. Denver
• Denver caterer and temporary licences need an Affidavit of Commissary, so you'll cook in a licensed kitchen, not at home. Denver

Your city

• Denver: organizer checklist · venue host checklist

Learn more

• CDPHE cottage foods
• HB26-1033, the Tamale Act
• CSU cottage food safety training

Not legal advice. Confirm with a lawyer and CDPHE before you act.